What do you think about random drug & alcohol tests at work?

[zombie]

I worked for an Arcade company. I was responsible for 12 locations that had approx 100 machines each. These machines generated approx 10grand a day in quarters (each location). So we all had to take drug tests each month, as well as polygraph tests.
One thing I learned from the start. If you smoke a joint BEFORE a polygraph you are the worlds most honest person. THC equalizes your metabolism, and makes even a LIAR appear truthful. Bottom line is every month I would pee positive for weed, and the polygraph would exonerate me. EVERY MONTH! I worked there for 6 years right out of collage.
What did I learn? Get high! It makes you a truthful person. (on paper)
Even tho I am a fun loving guy (hippie things) I won't have a "high" guy work for me. If the customer wants to hang out, and get hi fine... Not me or the guys that work for me. EVER! There is ONE excuse for poor workmanship. Inexperience.

[ScooterWolf]

This one may hit home:

http://news.yahoo.com/marijuana-smoking-tied-testicular-cancer-study-023342821.html

-Wolf

[streido]

This one may hit home:

http://news.yahoo.com/marijuana-smoking-tied-testicular-cancer-study-023342821.html

-Wolf

I take that with a pinch of salt Wolf, like i do with most incomplete/inconclusive studies/theories. Seems like every week they change their mind on these type of thing. One week its drink more red wine, eat more dark chocolate and the next red wine is bad and choclate causes something or other. Not saying its not true, it may well be, i just chose to wait till something is proven 99% before i believe it. If we believed everything put out by these studies we would need to sit in a bubble somewhere and eat, drink and consume nothing. Even then some smart arse would prove the bubble was cancerous or gave you something or other   

I just do what i want in life, within reason, my body soon tells me if it doesnt like it.   

[Vivo]

Yes, and eat natural and fresh fruit and veges? What's fresh and natural nowadays, huh? Ever wonder why you cannot find a single insect or worm in your cabbage? because these insects are scared sh** to go near them for fear of those insecticides and other stuff.... 

[Pimpy1]

This one may hit home:

http://news.yahoo.com/marijuana-smoking-tied-testicular-cancer-study-023342821.html

-Wolf

No thanks.

[streido]

Pimpy that put a shiver down my spine, yuk!!!!

Thats one bong i wouldnt take a hit from....no way. 

[boo]

Random drug screening is a joke and is discriminatory.

It should be all or none. With random screening, companies can pick their targets.

Test dates should not be known to anyone.

Have seen this in action. Companies will take care of their pets and bust the rest.

[gn2]

For UK companies who have had random drug and alcohol screening for many years you need look no further than the rail industry.
Everyone who works for a rail company in the UK is subject to random screening for alcohol and drugs and a positive test means immediate dismissal, no ifs, buts or maybes.
All perfectly legal and in accordance with UK employment law.
The rail unions are fully supportive of this policy because it exists to protect their members' welfare.
As for how often drug screening happens, I worked on the railway for 18 years and was tested four times.

[streido]

Yeah GN i know about the railways, i work with several ex-rail workers. If the job entails public transport, pilots, people who work with firearms or another dangerous job then there is for sure a need to be alert and totally sober and straight at ALL times so testing will be in your contract and it is understandable. For a normal joe in a normal job its simply overkill tho. If someone has a drink or drug problem it quickly become apparent and they can be dealt with as an individual. We had not agreed to this when we all signed our contracts. They chose to introduce it. The whole thing just stinks. If they want to control my private life then i want paid 24hrs per day for my time i have to abide by their company rules, seems only fair to me.